Status: 26.11.2023, 19:33 PM
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Izchak Herzog (r), President of Israel, and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier shake hands before a meeting at the President's official residence. © Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been to Israel more than 20 times in various capacities, 4 times as Federal President alone. His visit now is likely to be one of the most difficult.
Jerusalem - German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has pledged Germany's unwavering support to Israel, which has been attacked by the terrorist organization Hamas. "Our solidarity with Israel is valid," he said in Jerusalem at a press conference with Israel's President Izhak Herzog. "She is not only seen as a victim of terror with Israel. Our solidarity is also with Israel, which is fighting back, fighting against an existential threat."
Steinmeier said this in response to criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in the Gaza Strip, which has already cost thousands of civilian victims. It is necessary to spare the civilians in the Gaza Strip and to provide them with the most basic necessities. "This is what international humanitarian law requires." That is why it is good that the agreed ceasefires are now being used for this purpose.
Steinmeier emphasises the right to self-defence
However, the Federal President emphasized Israel's right to self-defense. Never before has the country been so deeply wounded as on 7 October, it is fighting for its existence. "Israel has every right to defend itself and secure its existence," Steinmeier said. "The terrorist organization Hamas must never achieve its declared goal, namely the annihilation of Israel."
Islamist terrorists from the Gaza Strip entered Israel on October 7, killing more than 1200,240 people. About <> hostages were abducted, including several Germans. Israel responded with massive air strikes, a blockade of the Gaza Strip, and launched a ground offensive in late October.
Steinmeier and Herzog have known each other for many years
Herzog called Steinmeier a "true friend". The two have known each other for many years. "Your visit is an expression of the firm alliance between our countries," said Herzog, who called Hamas a "beast" and a "monster." He thanked Steinmeier and the German government for their "clear stance" on Israel's right to defend itself - in contrast to the leaders of other EU countries, who showed "double standards" and "hypocrisy" towards Israel.
Steinmeier's visit seems as if he wanted to send a small signal of normality in these abnormal times. He is not the first high-ranking German politician to visit Israel since Hamas' attack on October 7. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has already been there, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) even three times. Unlike them, however, Steinmeier does not engage in crisis diplomacy, does not come rushing in in the morning and fly away again in the evening, but stays overnight and hangs on for a second day. It almost looks like a usual official visit, especially since his wife Elke Büdenbender is also accompanying him.
Abnormal times
But already the first item on the program in the afternoon showed that the times are anything but normal. Steinmeier met with relatives of hostages in Jerusalem. He already knew some of them from their visit to Berlin. One of the unusual circumstances of this visit was that Steinmeier explained the reasons for his trip in a video message just 24 hours before departure. And that, too, is extraordinary: The number 1 in the state came to Israel with the number 2 - Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) - which can be seen as a special sign of solidarity.
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Steinmeier is visibly anxious to show in his programme that he sees the suffering of the Palestinian people. This Monday, after a visit to a kibbutz and a conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he also plans to visit the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem. It treats almost 100 Palestinian patients who are now unable to return to their relatives.
Travel to Oman and Qatar
The Federal President's trip will take him to Oman on Tuesday and to Qatar on Wednesday, where he will meet with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Qatar has close contacts with Hamas and plays an important mediating role, for example in the release of hostages taken to Gaza.
Steinmeier said in his video message that he wanted to talk in Qatar about how the negotiations could now continue. "The way to end the fighting will and can only lead through the release of the hostages. All hostages!" The Israeli president made a similar statement on Sunday: "As a state and as a people, we want to ensure that all abductees, except the last one, come back to us." dpa